Network Rail has issued ‘shocking’ CCTV footage, including a teenager stood in the middle of a railway crossing staring at their mobile phone and a couple pushing a pram across a line after failing to observe safety barrier alarms.
The video, filmed at locations in Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, has been released to highlight the risks of losing focus near to a railway line.
A survey shows that 47% of respondents in the South East admit to making a mistake while using their phone, including missing their train or locking themselves out of the house.
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A spokesman for the rail operator added that national data showed that young people were among the most distracted, with 87% of Generation Z and 70% of Millennials admitting these mistakes, compared to just 22% of Boomers.
He said: “In a world full of distractions, Network Rail is warning of the more serious consequences of being distracted at level crossings.
“Over the past four years, there have been 1,574 recorded near-miss incidents involving pedestrians at level crossings. Over that same period, incidents have increased on average by 16% from April to May.
“The research also found a concerning lack of caution around level crossings, with over a third of people from the South East (35%) admitting they are more careful when crossing roads – even at zebra or traffic light crossings – compared to level crossings.”
Lucy Ruck, who lost her leg in a railway incident at Farnborough North level crossing 30 years ago when she was 17 years old, called for people to learn from her case.
She said: “The consequences of a split-second decision can be life-altering. I know this all too well from my own accident.
“I wasn’t being deliberately reckless or rushing, but perhaps because I used the station every day and knew it so well, I’d become a bit complacent.
“I went with everyone else without stopping to think for myself. Remember, no appointment or destination is worth risking your life for.
“Always look carefully and never assume it’s safe to cross. It’s better to be late in this world, than early in the next.”
A new accessible footbridge with lifts has recently been installed at Farnborough North to reduce the risks at the crossing which was one of three crossings in the country which had to be staffed while trains were running to keep the public safe.
Thomas Desmond, Network Rail operations director, said: “Level crossings demand your full attention, yet complacency and distraction are putting lives at risk, contributing to hundreds of dangerous near-misses annually.
“Whether it’s glancing at a phone or simply assuming the track is clear, these lapses in concentration can be fatal. We urge everyone to stop, look, listen and obey the signals every single time. Waiting a few minutes is infinitely better than risking everything.”
Gemma Briggs, a professor of applied cognitive psychology at the Open University, said: “While you may feel able to multitask when using your phone, research shows you can fail to notice important events and hazards which happen right in front of you.
“You don’t notice them because your mind is on your phone, and your attention is spread too thinly. This ‘inattentional blindness’ is particularly problematic in safety critical situations such as at level crossings.
“The best course of action is to put your phone away and focus your full attention on crossing safely.”
